Auchroisk 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7716256) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Auchroisk 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7716256) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Auchroisk
£190
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Auchroisk 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7716256) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Auchroisk | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 52.7% | 56.5% |
| Age | 20 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £189.6 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Auchroisk 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7716256) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Auchroisk 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7716256) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Auchroisk 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7716256) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £190 vs £250.
For beginners: Auchroisk 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7716256) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Auchroisk 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7716256) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +More affordable (£189.6 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 12 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (52.7%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £189.6)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Auchroisk?
Auchroisk 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7716256) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Who should buy Lagavulin?
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Tasting notes
Only Auchroisk 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7716256) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)